"Kingsbury again delivers a touching, emotional tale about the strength of faith."
– Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Truly, Madly, Deeply" releases October 27, 2020
Q&A with Karen Kingsbury

Q: In your new book, one of the main characters begins to doubt God after a cancer diagnosis while another character embraces God. What do you believe causes one person to lean into God during a crisis and another person to turn away?
A: It all depends on how you view God. According to the Bible, God is a faithful Father who will use all things to the good for those who love Him. I like to say God is not the reason bad things happen. He is the rescue. This is earth, not heaven. The Bible also says, “In this world you will have trouble. But be of good cheer, for Jesus has overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Eternity will be when all people are given the chance to live forever with their choice - the choice to love and trust God, or to live without Him.
Q: How does this book differ from your previous titles? What elements are similar?
A: This is a story of young love, the sort of young and uncertain, aching devotion and passion that stays with us all our lives. Not often are my main characters 18 years old. But this is also a story set against the backdrop of fear. I wrote this a year ago, when I never could’ve known the fear that would prevail in the fall of 2020. Yet, here we are. I believe readers will find peace and assurance as they walk with the characters through the fear in Truly Madly Deeply. The lesson is one we all need - whatever we face, there is a way to have inner peace.
Q: One of your main characters wants to become a police officer and one of his cop friends is shot and seriously injured. Did you consider changing this scenario in light of what is going on in our major cities? Why or why not?
A: Books are always written a year before publication. Last year at this time, for the most part people saw police officers as heroes. People thanked them in public places, and customers rushed to pay for their orders at coffee houses and restaurants. Every profession has some people who need to be replaced. When I saw the unprecedented and - frankly - unwarranted public uproar against police, I gave the book one last read. I made sure I didn’t speak in absolutes. As for me, I still believe the vast majority of police officers are heroes. My cousin is a police officer. My son has always wanted to be a cop. Their mindsets are the same as all police officers I know. They sign up to put their lives on the line every day for you and me, and they do it for one of the lowest salaries out there. My husband’s cousin is also an officer. He told us a story the other day about an officer who responded to a car accident. A 12-year-old boy was trapped in a burning car. It was clear the child wasn’t going to make it, as the fire was moving faster than the Jaws-of-Life could possibly remove him. So the officer slid himself into the wreckage and held the screaming boy in his arms. The two of them died together. So, yeah, I didn’t consider changing the topic. I believe God gave it to me for such a time as this.
A: It all depends on how you view God. According to the Bible, God is a faithful Father who will use all things to the good for those who love Him. I like to say God is not the reason bad things happen. He is the rescue. This is earth, not heaven. The Bible also says, “In this world you will have trouble. But be of good cheer, for Jesus has overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Eternity will be when all people are given the chance to live forever with their choice - the choice to love and trust God, or to live without Him.
Q: How does this book differ from your previous titles? What elements are similar?
A: This is a story of young love, the sort of young and uncertain, aching devotion and passion that stays with us all our lives. Not often are my main characters 18 years old. But this is also a story set against the backdrop of fear. I wrote this a year ago, when I never could’ve known the fear that would prevail in the fall of 2020. Yet, here we are. I believe readers will find peace and assurance as they walk with the characters through the fear in Truly Madly Deeply. The lesson is one we all need - whatever we face, there is a way to have inner peace.
Q: One of your main characters wants to become a police officer and one of his cop friends is shot and seriously injured. Did you consider changing this scenario in light of what is going on in our major cities? Why or why not?
A: Books are always written a year before publication. Last year at this time, for the most part people saw police officers as heroes. People thanked them in public places, and customers rushed to pay for their orders at coffee houses and restaurants. Every profession has some people who need to be replaced. When I saw the unprecedented and - frankly - unwarranted public uproar against police, I gave the book one last read. I made sure I didn’t speak in absolutes. As for me, I still believe the vast majority of police officers are heroes. My cousin is a police officer. My son has always wanted to be a cop. Their mindsets are the same as all police officers I know. They sign up to put their lives on the line every day for you and me, and they do it for one of the lowest salaries out there. My husband’s cousin is also an officer. He told us a story the other day about an officer who responded to a car accident. A 12-year-old boy was trapped in a burning car. It was clear the child wasn’t going to make it, as the fire was moving faster than the Jaws-of-Life could possibly remove him. So the officer slid himself into the wreckage and held the screaming boy in his arms. The two of them died together. So, yeah, I didn’t consider changing the topic. I believe God gave it to me for such a time as this.

Q: Tell us about your upcoming television series.
A: Finally, after years of planning and filming, The Baxters will be coming to television within the year. Already there are 34 episodes filmed and edited! Currently decisions are being made as to what network or streaming service will carry the show. I think it’s going to be a huge success. Never has there been a show where the main characters are a family that openly believes in Jesus, where the members unabashedly pray together, but where we also see them struggle with real life issues - addiction, infidelity, loss, family strains, etc. Overriding all of that, though, is a theme of hope and redemption, which is something the world desperately needs today.
Q: How do you stay inspired as a writer?
A: I am an emotional detective. Without actually trying to, I go through life drawn to the deeper emotional moments. Songs, stories, social conditions, illnesses, heartbreaks, and other such situations that draw me in and make me cry. Whenever that happens, I know that the root of a story lives is there somewhere. I journal often. I spend time outside, looking up and asking God what I should write about next. I’m grateful to say, He gives me stories that I’m passionate to tell, more than I could write in a lifetime.
Q: What is always your biggest challenge when writing a new book?
A: I love the outline process! The story comes to life like a movie in my head. The hard part is sitting down and fleshing out the pieces to create the story. I liken it to swimming across the ocean. I’ve done it before, and I know I can do it again. But it’s never easy. Also, though I don’t really struggle with writer’s block, I definitely battle something I call “time block”. Meaning, it’s always easier to visit with my grandkids or take advantage of a zoo day with the family, rather than sitting down and getting the job done. Sometimes I have to hole up in a hotel for a week to get myself on a roll!
A: Finally, after years of planning and filming, The Baxters will be coming to television within the year. Already there are 34 episodes filmed and edited! Currently decisions are being made as to what network or streaming service will carry the show. I think it’s going to be a huge success. Never has there been a show where the main characters are a family that openly believes in Jesus, where the members unabashedly pray together, but where we also see them struggle with real life issues - addiction, infidelity, loss, family strains, etc. Overriding all of that, though, is a theme of hope and redemption, which is something the world desperately needs today.
Q: How do you stay inspired as a writer?
A: I am an emotional detective. Without actually trying to, I go through life drawn to the deeper emotional moments. Songs, stories, social conditions, illnesses, heartbreaks, and other such situations that draw me in and make me cry. Whenever that happens, I know that the root of a story lives is there somewhere. I journal often. I spend time outside, looking up and asking God what I should write about next. I’m grateful to say, He gives me stories that I’m passionate to tell, more than I could write in a lifetime.
Q: What is always your biggest challenge when writing a new book?
A: I love the outline process! The story comes to life like a movie in my head. The hard part is sitting down and fleshing out the pieces to create the story. I liken it to swimming across the ocean. I’ve done it before, and I know I can do it again. But it’s never easy. Also, though I don’t really struggle with writer’s block, I definitely battle something I call “time block”. Meaning, it’s always easier to visit with my grandkids or take advantage of a zoo day with the family, rather than sitting down and getting the job done. Sometimes I have to hole up in a hotel for a week to get myself on a roll!
About Karen Kingsbury:
Karen Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than 25 million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development as major motion pictures. Her Baxter Family books are being developed into a TV series slated to debut soon. Karen is also an adjunct professor of writing at Liberty University. She and her husband, Donald, live in Tennessee near their children and grandchildren. Visit www.KarenKingsbury.com.